I would say go with the tried and true which is a lab. You can find labs from anywhere in the range of 200-2,000 depending apon breeder and blood lines. I would recommend a lab because they are great learners most are not hard headed and personalities are tough to beat. But I am also bias because I love mine! Good luck

ive herd of it but never saw one myself.i under stand the size thing thow its hard to rent places when you have bigger dogs.i have 2 labs.one wife had befor we married and mine i got from a small farm breeder.my first dog to try to train she didnt turn out mostly my fault thow,but only paid 150.00 for her.

guy that used to work with me had a pitbull has his duck dog.he said worked great.i was invited to come hunt with him and see for myself,but the more we talked about hunting the more i fund out about him and his poaching.so i siad it wont work i dont hunt with law breakers.

Here in the northeast I don't know if I would put a spaniel in the water past mid november anyway but if you are set on getting a small spaniel type dog how about an American water spaniel. Watched one run a senior at an AKC hunt test this year and it did very well.

Unless you have an in with an English Cocker breeder and can get a great price I would think the price for either would be comparable.